But I'll consider test driving an AT one now! But the manual is more maintenance and more bulletproof would you say?

The only maintenance for both is fluid/lube changes. The ZF takes 6 quarts at $50/quart, while the manual takes a couple quarts of much less expensive gear oil lube. It's possible you might have to have the auto's mechatronic sleeve/seal replaced but that's a pretty cheap ($150 ? + $200 labor) fix.

When the Auto breaks eventually (and that's the big unknown - as I said they should go 150K miles or more), it's a new/rebuilt tranny which is kind of expensive.

The MT will need a new clutch (and I'd replace all parts), which will cost about $1K in parts and $1500 or so in labor. Some people are having problems with the 2nd gear synchro (this is a common problem for all manual transmissions, not just BMW) which could require a new tranny.

Seems like so many people who are into cars, had a 4th gen Maxima at some time. I still have a 98 SE 5-spd.

I want to always have at least one stick, if not two.....looks like the next Corolla has an intelligent manual, which imho is cool that Toyota would invest in it....since the clutch is almost extinct.

Nice you still have your 1998 Maxima SE .
Loved my 1998 Maxima SE. Was Pearl White and a quick little sedan for that time, but then when the new 2003 350Zs came out, I had to get one, so I sold my Maxima to a cousin and used the money as down payment on the Z.

Is your car stock or what mods do you have to do that? I want my future 335i do to that hahaha.

For the burbles when you let of the throttle or downshift its the MPPK tune, you can flash it onto N55 Alex@alpine offers this for like 200$ Mine came with it from factory

For the downshifts that are aggressive its a custom flash written by RBT-TUNING the developers of Xhp for performance. More aggressive than Stage 3, with the fastest shifts on demand in M mode 24/7, up or down.

For the burbles when you let of the throttle or downshift its the MPPK tune, you can flash it onto N55 Alex@alpine offers this for like 200$ Mine came with it from factory

For the downshifts that are aggressive its a custom flash written by RBT-TUNING the developers of Xhp for performance. More aggressive than Stage 3, with the fastest shifts on demand in M mode 24/7, up or down.

For the burbles when you let of the throttle or downshift its the MPPK tune, you can flash it onto N55 Alex@alpine offers this for like 200$ Mine came with it from factory

For the downshifts that are aggressive its a custom flash written by RBT-TUNING the developers of Xhp for performance. More aggressive than Stage 3, with the fastest shifts on demand in M mode 24/7, up or down.

or... you can hit up alpineMSS and they can flash it for you remotely for a service charge. the tune itself is free as long as you can put it on your car. otherwise you pay someone to install the now free tune.

or... you can hit up alpineMSS and they can flash it for you remotely for a service charge. the tune itself is free as long as you can put it on your car. otherwise you pay someone to install the now free tune.

Ohhh ok, the MPPK was something you could get from factory so like you can retrofit it after?

or... you can hit up alpineMSS and they can flash it for you remotely for a service charge. the tune itself is free as long as you can put it on your car. otherwise you pay someone to install the now free tune.

Ohhh ok, the MPPK was something you could get from factory so like you can retrofit it after?

yes. its bmws i. house small power bump. 20hp or so. and the burble sounds.

Do you think the downshifts are better with XHP? That's the only thing that I want a little better with the b3 flash

I was hesitant to go from alpina to xhp. I ended up trying stage 3 and it was too hard for me. I have 80k on my tranny and I need to do a fluid change so maybe it'll be better after that.

But for now I went with stage 2 and it like it much better than alpina, it's smoother and quicker and the downshifts are nice, D is driveable - although I usually only drive in S and even that feels better.